The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-28) will try to put an end to their six-game losing streak when they meet the Chicago Bulls (16-29) at United Center. The game will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.
Minnesota opened as a 1-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 219 points at PointsBet Sportsbook.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls Betting Prediction
The Timberwolves are hoping to rebound after failing to cover as 3.5-point favorites in their 107-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets in their last contest. The combined points for the game (207) were under the projected point total of 221. Denver’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Minnesota. The Nuggets had a rate of 29.5 (above their season average of 24.7), while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 21.6. Karl-Anthony Towns was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points on 9-for-19 shooting.
In the Bulls’ last outing, they were beaten by the Milwaukee Bucks, 111-98, but did cover as 15.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (209) came in well under the O/U total of 225.5. Milwaukee launched 26 three pointers, making 11 of them (42.3 percent). Chicago, on the other hand, was 14-48 (29.2 percent). Zach LaVine put together a good performance for Chicago, leading the team in scoring with 24 points on 7-for-19 shooting.
It will be a showdown of contrasting paces as the up-tempo Timberwolves (ranked fifth in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more half-court-oriented Bulls (16th in possessions per game).
Minnesota comes into the game with records of 15-28 straight up (SU) and 17-24-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Timberwolves games, with 23 overs compared to 20 unders.
Meanwhile, Chicago is 16-29 SU and 21-24 ATS. In opposition of Minnesota, a little over half of Bulls games have finished under the O/U total.
After the Timberwolves won both matchups against the Bulls last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Minnesota won 119-94. The Timberwolves knocked down 16 of their 19 free throws (84.2 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.554 vs. 0.442).
Timberwolves at Bulls Odds Pick
NBA Prediction: ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Minnesota is 12-9-1 ATS with 13 overs and 9 unders.
At home, Chicago is 10-13 ATS with 12 unders and 11 overs.
Chicago is 5-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while Minnesota is 2-1.
The Bulls are 16-16 when they reach the century mark, while the Timberwolves are 14-21.
Minnesota ranks fourth in blocks per game (6.1) while Chicago ranks 29th in blocks allowed per game (6.4).
The Bulls rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.2) while the Timberwolves rank 24th (15.9).
Chicago ranks seventh in fast break points per game (15.2) while Minnesota ranks 29th (10.2).
The Timberwolves rank sixth in rebounds per game (46.1) while the Bulls rank 26th (42.6).
Minnesota ranks fourth in steals per game (8.5) while Chicago ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
The Timberwolves rank third in three pointers attempted per game (39.3) while the Bulls rank ninth (35.2).
Minnesota ranks 10th in points in the paint per game (48.5) while Chicago ranks 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.2).
The Bulls rank 19th in second chance points per game (12.6) while the Timberwolves rank 24th in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
Minnesota ranks 21st in assists per game (22.9) while Chicago ranks 23rd in assists allowed per game (24.8).
Over its last five games, Minnesota is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Chicago is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push over its last five games.
The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.4, up from 3.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 104.2 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.2 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
